How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 2004 Grand Prix

The front wheels on the 2004 Grand Prix come equipped with brake pads. The brake pads are responsible for stopping the car by compressing against the brake rotors. The brake pads are compressed against the brake rotors by the cylinder inside of the brake caliper, which is pressurized the caliper cylinder. The cylinder then pushes against the brake pads until the pads have fully compressed to the facing of the brake rotors. Each brake pad is designed with a wear indicator. When the pads have worn down to the wear indicators, you must replace them.

Instructions

1

Park the 2004 Grand Prix on a level surface with plenty of working room.

2

Loosen each lug nut on the driver-side front wheel with the tire tool. Then, loosen each lug nut from the passenger-side front wheel.

3

Position the jack under the 2004 Grand Prix and jack the front of the car up from the cross frame under the engine. Once the car is high enough off the ground, position the safety stands under the proper jacking points on both sides of the Grand Prix. Carefully and slowly lower the jack.

4

Loosen and remove each lug nut from the driver-side front wheel. Pull the wheel off and place it flat down. Then, locate the brake caliper--it is mounted to the side of the brake rotor.

5

Insert the end of the handheld pry bar into the top of the brake caliper between the rotor and the outer brake pad. Pry the outer brake pad away from the brake rotor until the caliper becomes loose enough to remove from the rotor.

6

Locate the two 15 mm mounting bolts on the back side of the brake caliper. Loosen and remove the two bolts with the 1/2-inch drive ratchet and the 15 mm socket.

7

Slide the bottom of the brake caliper straight up until the top part of the brake caliper comes off the brake rotor. Hang the brake caliper to the frame rail or to the front strut with a piece of rope.

8

Pull the inner brake pad out of the caliper. Insert the C-clamp into the brake caliper so that it is facing the outer brake pad. Turn the C-clamp clockwise to compress the outer brake pad toward the caliper cylinder. Once the caliper cylinder has fully compressed into the caliper housing, unscrew the C-clamp and remove it from the brake caliper.

9

Pull the outer brake pad out of the brake caliper along with any brake pad hardware such as clips and shims. Install the new brake pads into the brake caliper. Reverse the preceding steps to put the brake caliper and the wheel back on.

10

Move to the passenger-side front wheel and follow the same preceding steps for replacing the brake pads. Once both sets of brake pads are installed, jack the 2004 Grand Prix back up and remove the jack stands. Lower the car back to the ground. Crank the engine and slowly pump the brake pedal in and out six or seven times to remove any air from the brake system. Turn the engine off.